Identity Denial

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Pilot Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Roger Murdoch insists to a young fan that he is not Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Bob is walking down the street, trying his best to look inconspicuous. All of a sudden, a stranger comes up to him and goes, "hey, you're that famous singer Bob!" Bob tries his best to deny it, saying "I'm sorry, but you've got the wrong guy" or "you must have me confused for somebody else" - but it's useless, and soon he's mobbed by the crowd.

This is mostly used when a celebrity, fugitive or other public figure needs to escape notice and fly under the radar, but has his cover blown. More often than not, it doesn't work, and is often played for laughs.

Compare King Incognito, and often leads to an attack of the Groupie Brigade.

Examples of Identity Denial include:

Anime and Manga

• In the second story arc of Our Home's Fox Deity, Noboru is approached by an odd-looking person who asks whether he is who he is, by name. Noboru, being Genre Savvy by this point and realizing the stranger isn't human, denies he's Noboru. While the denial confuses the stranger, in the long run it doesn't work.

Film

• A Hard Day's Night. John Lennon has the following dialogue with a random girl.

Millie: Oh, wait a minute, don't tell me, you are... John: No, I'm not. Millie: Oh, you are. John: I'm not. Millie: Oh, you are, I know you are. John: I'm not, no. Millie: You look just like him. John: Do I? You're the first one that's said that ever. Millie: motions to the mirror Yes, you do. Look. John: No, my eyes are lighter. The nose. Millie: Oh, your nose is very. John: Is it? Millie: I would have said so. John: Oh, you know him better, though. Millie: I do not! He's only a casual acquaintance. John: That's what you say. Millie: What have you heard? John: leans in, lowers his voice It's all over the place. Millie: Is it? Is it really? John: Mmm, but I wouldn't have it. I stuck up for you. Millie: I knew I could rely on you. John: Thanks. Millie: puts on her glasses You don't look like him at all. John walks away, pouting John: to himself She looks more like him than I do.

• In Clint Eastwood's Hereafter, George Lonnegan has quit being a professional psychic, but is recognised by a young boy at the book fair. He pulls this one as well, but it doesn't work, and he eventually helps the boy talk to his dead twin brother, offering him some closure.
• The classic comedy example is from Annie Hall,when Alvy is accosted by a man on the street who recognizes his face but can't remember his name. "Hey, dis is Alvy Singah! Dis guy's on television! Alvy Singah!"
• This happens to Don Lockwood in Singin' in the Rain, and he only escapes through a Meet Cute.
• Airplane!, the co-pilot is Roger Murdock (pro basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). A kid recognizes him as Kareem, but he initially denies it until the kid repeats some insulting statements his father made about him. He then admit he is Kareem, and apparently has a second career as an airline pilot that he performs under a false identity.

Live-Action TV

• The hidden-camera prank show I Get That a Lot takes this Up to Eleven by having actual celebrities pretend to be workers in everyday establishments like clothing stores, hot-dog stands and fast-food restaurants. Customers usually immediately recognise them, but the celebrities play along by pretending that they merely look like...themselves.

Religion

• Happens in The Bible, making this one Older Than Feudalism. Peter is in the courtyard the morning after Jesus' arrest, and has people coming up to him recognizing him as a disciple of Jesus. This leads to Peter's famous denial of Christ.

Western Animation

• An episode of Johnny Bravo has him attempt to learn the secrets of a handsome rock star who suffers from this every other half hour of his life.